Cabinets to boardrooms: When politicians go corporate
A look at global political leaders who moved from public offices to the corporate world
By Samidha Jain
Last Updated: Oct 13, 2025, 18:12 IST2 min
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The appointment of Rishi Sunak, former UK Prime Minister, as an advisor to Microsoft and Anthropic marks a rare transition from politics to the corporate boardroom. While the reverse journey—from business to politics—is fairly common globally and in India, the move from public office to private enterprise carries a different weight.
Examples of corporate-to-political transitions include Nandan Nilekani, who moved from Infosys to Aadhaar and politics before returning to Infosys; Jayant Sinha, who went from Omidyar Network and McKinsey to Parliament; and Donald Trump, who shifted from business to the US presidency.
In contrast, politicians entering corporate roles bring a distinct advantage—their ability to navigate complex regulatory, geopolitical, and technological landscapes.
Also Read: How Nandan Nilekani built India's digital public infrastructure
Here are some prominent Indian and global figures who have made the shift from politics to business:
Rishi Sunak (UK)
After stepping down as UK Prime Minister in 2024, Sunak took advisory roles at Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic. The MP for Richmond and Northallerton said he was “delighted to be working with two of the world’s leading tech firms.” Reports describe his Microsoft role as offering “high-level strategic perspectives” on geopolitics, while at Anthropic, it functions “akin to operating an internal think tank.”
David Cameron (UK)
After resigning as PM in 2016, Cameron took several corporate roles, including a controversial advisory stint with Greensill Capital (2018) and a part-time role at Finback Investment Partners in March 2025. He also explored a geopolitical advisory role with law firm DLA Piper.
Jayadev Galla (India)
A two-time TDP MP and chairman of Amara Raja Batteries, Galla stepped back from politics in January 2024 to focus on business, citing political interference and regulatory hurdles. He now leads the company’s push into lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
Arun Shourie (India)
The former Minister for Disinvestment and IT returned to writing and public life after his political career. Though not on corporate boards, Shourie continues to influence through policy commentary and think-tank engagements.
Nandan Nilekani (India)
After leading the Aadhaar project and briefly joining politics with the Congress, Nilekani returned to Infosys in 2017 as non-executive chairman. His comeback helped stabilise the firm amid a leadership crisis, reaffirming his bridge between policy and corporate governance.
José Manuel Barroso (Portugal)
The former Portuguese PM and European Commission president joined Goldman Sachs International in 2016 as non-executive chairman, guiding the firm through post-Brexit uncertainty with his deep EU policy experience.
Tony Blair (UK)
Post his premiership, Blair founded Tony Blair Associates in 2008, advising governments and corporations. He also became a senior advisor to JPMorgan Chase and in 2016, launched the Tony Blair Institute for governance and reform.
George Osborne (UK)
After serving as UK Chancellor, Osborne became editor-in-chief of the Evening Standard, and a senior advisor at BlackRock and earned a notable salary for a one-day-a-week role. He later joined Robey Warshaw, a boutique investment bank, as a full-time partner.
Condoleezza Rice (US)
After her stint as US Secretary of State, Rice joined the boards of Dropbox and C3.ai, co-founded the consultancy RiceHadleyGates, and became part-owner of the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Jon Corzine (US)
The former New Jersey Governor and US Senator returned to finance as CEO of MF Global, which later collapsed in 2011. He subsequently founded the JDC-JSC Opportunity Fund, a hedge fund.
First Published: Oct 13, 2025, 18:12
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